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Countertops 101: Granite Countertops

September 20, 2019 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

This month, we are taking a look at popular countertop products. Today, we are exploring granite countertops. Composed of natural stone, granite is a timeless tradition in household designs. It adds an elegant look to any design while being a fan favorite.

Granite countertops have been used for years and are loved for its distinct, unmatched beauty and durability. If you are interested in learning about granite‘s benefits, we are going to focus on three features that you will love about granite. Let’s take a look!

Strength & Durability

It should be mentioned that granite countertops need proper care and maintenance. If you are uninterested in maintaining your counters, granite may not be right for you. Apart from its upkeep, granite countertops are considered strong, dense, and durable. When properly sealed, granite countertops provide good stain resistance and are easy to clean. Additionally, they are scratch- and heat-resistant, giving homeowners ease of mind.

Unmatched Beauty

Most homeowners choose granite because it is considered to be one of the most beautiful countertop options available, and we have to agree. This timeless countertop solution complements cabinetry and floors seamlessly while providing a stunning landscape for your food and dishes.

Care & Maintenance

As we previously mentioned, it is important to maintain and care for your granite countertops. Remember, they are an investment and should be treated as such. If you are new to owning granite countertops, here are a few maintenance tips and tricks to remember:

As soon as a spill occurs, be sure to wipe it up immediately, especially with oily or acidic foods.
Do not leave wet dishes on your countertops for extended periods of time. Be sure always to use coasters.
Take a damp, soft cloth and clean your countertops regularly.
Do not use dish soap because it can cause build-up.
Always use a cutting board.
Try to avoid ammonia, vinegar, and citrus on your countertops.
Only use stain-removers that are approved by your granite manufacturer.
Just to be careful, you should use a trivet under your extremely hot pots and pans.

Are you interested in viewing our granite selection? At ICC Home, we make the design process easy by offering room scenes for customers to see what products would actually look like in their space. We encourage you to visit our showroom for yourself at 7226 East 87th Street Suite D1, Indianapolis, IN 46256 or call us for more information.

**Image of ICC Home Kitchen Room Scene**

Thanks for reading, and be sure to come back next week, where we will focus on marble countertops.

Countertops 101: Quartz Countertops

September 13, 2019 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

Composed of natural quartz crystals, quartz countertops are one of the most beautiful and durable countertop selections for your home. Amongst being a household favorite, quartz countertops are loved for their heat- and stain-resistant properties, making them one of the most durable countertops on the market. If you are interested in learning about this newer countertop option, today, we are going to take a closer look at quartz and all it has to offer.

Durable

Quartz countertops are heat-resistant, meaning they can withstand a certain amount of heat without seeing the effects. In addition to being heat-resistant, quartz countertops are also incredibly difficult to scratch. In fact, they rank higher on the Moh’s Hardness Scale at a 7, as opposed to Granite, which ranked 6 (a diamond is classified as a 10). This means that quartz can easily withstand daily wear and tear while remaining as beautiful as the day you bought them.

Luxurious

Quartz counters are easy to love and quite beautiful. They add a certain element of luxury to any space with their gorgeous reflective charm. That being said, it is important to be aware that quartz’s seams are visible. They are not extremely visible and are covered, but they are considered to be more visible than other countertop products.

Easy-to-Maintain

Quartz countertops are one of the easiest countertop products to maintain. Unlike its counterparts, quartz does not need any sealers. In fact, you do not need to seal your countertops each year since they are non-porous. Instead, you will merely need clear dish soap and a damp, soft rag to clean it. It is that easy!

Are you interested in viewing our quartz selection? At ICC Home, we make the design process easy by offering room scenes for customers to see what products would actually look like in their space. We encourage you to visit our showroom for yourself at 7226 East 87th Street Suite D1, Indianapolis, IN 46256 or call us for more information.

Thanks for reading, and be sure to come back next week, where we will focus on granite countertops.

Flooring 101: Luxury Vinyl Planking

September 6, 2019 by iccfloors 2 Comments

In the last part of our four-part series, we are going to be focusing on Luxury Vinyl Planking. Luxury Vinyl Planking, also referred to as LVP, has taken the flooring market by storm. This revolutionary flooring product adds beauty, durability, and longevity to any home design project. Loved for its superior composition, LVP is a common choice amongst households.

Today, we are going to take a closer look at LVP’s key characteristics and attributes. If you missed any of our previous Flooring 101 posts, be sure to visit their corresponding links here: Tile, Hardwood, and Carpet. For now, let’s dive deeper into Luxury Vinyl Planking.

Composition

Luxury Vinyl Planking is composed of five distinct layers. Each layer helps add to the overall construct. The five layers include:

The Wear Layer: On the surface, you will find the wear layer. This particular layer protects your floors from everyday wear and tear.
The Luxury Vinyl Print: The next layer is the physical luxury vinyl print. The print is made in high-definition with a beautiful and realistic image of hardwood, tile, natural stone, etc.
The Interlocking System: Beneath your print, you will discover the interlocking system. This layer is used during the install. With an easy-installation in mind, it is user-friendly.
The Waterproof Core: Next, you will find the 100% waterproof core. You heard that right, waterproof! Its revolutionary technology allows it to be installed in moist areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements.
The Attached Underlayment: Last but not least, you will see the attached underlayment. This layer provides a comfortable and soft underfoot.

Durability

LVP is considered a durable flooring product due to its additional thickness, waterproof features, and the external wear layer. It is the perfect flooring option for active households with kids and pets.

Styles and Designs

LVP does not fall short in designs and styles. This extraordinary flooring offers homeowners an endless selection of designs and styles that mimic the look of our other flooring favorites. From hardwood to natural stone, LVP provides a realistic, beautiful look to your floors.

Easy Installation

With its interlocking system, LVP is the perfect flooring option for experts and do-it-yourselfers, alike. It offers an easy-to-install interlocking system to make install floors easier than ever.

Are you interested in viewing ICC Home‘s luxury vinyl planking selection? If so, one of our expert sales associates would love to assist you in finding the perfect floors. Be sure to contact us today for more information.

Flooring 101: Tile

August 30, 2019 by iccfloors 1 Comment

Tile has been used in homes since as early as the 8th century. From wall mosaics to decorative floors, tile is forever loved for its delicate beauty, incredible durability, and easy-to-maintain properties. That being said, while many households incorporate tile into their design, few truly understand its characteristics. In today’s part of our series, we are going to take a closer look at tile’s attributes and why homeowners select this flooring. Let’s take a look!

Ceramic vs. Porcelain

There are two types of tiles: Ceramic and Porcelain. While similar, these two types also differ from one another. Here are their key differences:

Porcelain

The key difference between ceramic and porcelain tile is that porcelain can be used outdoors. Due to its frost-resistant properties, it can be placed in environments that drop to the negatives. Additionally, porcelain has a low water absorption rate, making it the better choice for showers and pools. Lastly, porcelain is considered more durable and harder than ceramic tile, making it a great choice for households that are prone to drops and spills.

Ceramic

On the other hand, ceramic tile is less expensive than porcelain tile. This is due to the way porcelain tile is manufactured. If you are looking for an affordable tile option, ceramic tile may be your way to go.

Durability

Tile floors are typically considered durable due to the way they are made. While being exposed to extremely high temperatures during creation, tile is incredibly tough and often difficult to crack; therefore, homeowners love the durability and reliability of their tile floors.

Hypoallergenic & Sustainable

Many homeowners choose tile because of its hypoallergenic properties. In fact, parents of children with asthma or allergies love tile floors because they cannot hold common household allergens. Because tile is an impervious surface, homeowners can rest at ease that their household floors will be free of bacteria, fungi, mold, and other dust mites.

Curated from natural and sustainable materials, tile is the most environmental-friendly flooring choice on the market. In fact, it can help moderate the temperature throughout your home and create a more energy-efficient space.

Water-, Slip-, and Fire-Resistant

While many homeowners are probably aware of the fact that tile floors are water-resistant, since they are frequently used in bathrooms, many homeowners may not know that tile floors are fire-resistant. In fact, its fire-resistant property can help homeowners feel at ease with their flooring decision. Since tile is a non-flammable material, if a fire were to happen, it will not produce smoke or burn toxic fumes, helping to give you peace of mind.

In addition to being fire-resistant, tile floors can have slip-resistant properties to keep your family safe. Some tile designs offer a slip-resistant barrier through their different textures and finishes, which works well in pool areas to help avoid any accidental falls.

All in all, tile is a very diverse and beautiful flooring choice. From pools to backsplashes to floors, tile can add a touch of elegance to any home design. For more information on ICC Home’s tile selection, please visit us here.

Additionally, if you missed the previous posts in our series, be sure to visit their corresponding links here: Carpet and Hardwood. Also, be sure to check back next week for our final part of the series on Luxury Vinyl Planking.

Flooring 101: Hardwood

August 24, 2019 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

Loved for its effortless beauty and timeless nature; hardwood floors are a flooring staple in households across America. While hardwood floors are commonly used in households, some homeowners still do not understand its characteristics and properties. To help consumers understand their flooring properly, we are going to do a series on the four most common flooring types: Carpet, Hardwood, Tile, and LVP (Luxury Vinyl Planking). Today, we are going to take a closer look at hardwood and all it has to offer. Let’s take a look!

Solid Vs. Engineered

Hardwood flooring comes in two types of compositions: solid and engineered.

Solid Hardwood

Solid hardwood flooring is the type of floor that probably comes to mind when you think of traditional hardwood. It is composed of a single piece of wood and can be sanded or refinished as often as the homeowner sees fit. While solid hardwood is loved for its traditional beauty, it can contract and expand due to its single-piece nature. This means that solid hardwood would not do well in areas with a variety of temperatures and humidity like the kitchen or basement.

Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood floors, on the other hand, are composed of several pieces of wood (approximately three to five). The topmost layer of engineered hardwood is typically composed of plywood with other types of wood underneath it. Since it is composed of less expensive materials, engineered hardwood typically is not as expensive as traditional, solid hardwood floors. Additionally, homeowners gear toward engineered hardwood because it does not contract or expand due to temperature or humidity, giving it installation versatility.

Hardwood Finishes

Hardwood has two types of finishes: factory-finished and site-finished.

Factory-Finished

Factory-finished hardwood floors are often considered more convenient and less expensive in the eyes of a consumer. Additionally, since they are already finished prior to the installation, it gives homeowners a clean home, free of chemicals, odors, and excess dust. That being said, factory-finished hardwood floors do feature grooves on the sides of the boards. This means there will be a small gap between the boards, and it can make cleaning a little more challenging.

Site-Finished

On the other hand, your hardwood floors can be finished onsite. Often times, this is homeowners preferred method since it is more customizable and offers a flawless finish. Additionally, they are easier to clean, durable, and offer personalized craftsmanship. That being said, there is the presence of odors and dust as well as the need for an allotted time to cure and dry.

Types of Hardwood

Luckily, there are a wide variety of wood species. While wood species can vary in density and durability, experts recommend choosing one in terms of your color and grain preference.

Plank Width

In addition to a variety of wood species, there is also a wide selection of plank widths. Again, it all comes down to personal preference when choosing the width of your hardwood planks. That being said, some homeowners do lean more towards a wider plank because it shows fewer seams. But homeowners should be aware that the wider the plank, the more money you may spend.

At ICC Home, we understand that choosing the right flooring choice can feel overwhelming at times. We would love to help make the process easy and efficient. Be sure to visit us at ICC Home to make all of your design dreams come true. Also, do not forget to check back next week where will discuss tile. Thanks for reading!

Flooring 101: Carpet

August 16, 2019 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

Loved for its comfort and beauty, carpet has been a flooring staple in homes across America for decades. While carpet is commonly used in households, some homeowners still do not understand its characteristics and properties. To help consumers understand their flooring properly, we are going to do a series on the four most common flooring types: Carpet, Hardwood, Tile, and LVP (Luxury Vinyl Planking). Today, we are going to take a closer look at carpet and all it has to offer. Let’s take a look!

Fiber Types

Carpet comes in five different fiber types: Acrylic, Nylon, Polyester, Polypropylene/Olefin, and Wool.

Acrylic: Acrylic carpet fibers offer homeowners the beautiful look and feel of wool carpet with an affordable price tag. That being said, it is not best for heavy-traffic areas.
Nylon: Nylon carpet fibers are a very popular and common choice amongst homeowners due to their resilience. Also, they help hide dirt and debris, which is a pro for households with pets and children.
Polyester: Polyester carpet fibers are fantastic at resisting stains and fading. Additionally, polyester fibered carpets come in an array of colors and patterns to match your style preferences. That being said, the fibers can be easily crushed.
Polypropylene/Olefin: Although olefin carpet fibers are less resilient, it does withstand sunlight, bleach, and stains.
Wool: Wool carpet is a glamourous choice for luxurious homes. Along with looking and feeling beautiful, wool carpet helps purify the air, withstands bacteria growth, and contains hypoallergenic attributes. That being said, wool carpet is the most expensive carpet fiber listed.

While all fibers and piles can affect the durability of your carpet, ICC Home can help take the guesswork out of selecting the proper one. Be sure to ask one of our expert sales associates which carpet type would work best for your application.

Lifestyle Applications

Additionally, your lifestyle can affect your flooring purchase. Taking into consideration a few key elements can help you make the right decision. Here are things you should consider:

Active Households: With pets and children, life can get a little chaotic and unpredictable. Having a durable carpet can help homeowners foresee the unforeseen. Luckily, there are a variety of durable carpets for active households.
Seniors: Carpet provides a comfortable underfoot, making it the perfect choice for senior living. It helps create a soft barrier in case of accidental falls.
Asthma and Airborne Allergens: Contrary to popular belief, carpet can be beneficial in homes that struggle with asthma and airborne allergens. In fact, the carpet can serve as an air filter for your space. The carpet traps particles like dust, pollen, and pet dander, and with a regular vacuuming schedule, you can remove those allergens from the atmosphere, creating a clean and happy environment. Additionally, carpet has the lowest volatile organic compound emission out of all of the flooring choices, which results in improved air quality.